Busboys and Poets
5th and K Streets, NW
I had dinner with a group at Busboys and Poets on Friday night, which is my favorite new place, hands down, across the country! Isn't the name in and of itself great? The name refers to American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1920s, prior to gaining recognition as a poet. Check out their mission statement, below a pic of their yummy pizza:
Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted...a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul...a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide...we believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.
Inside is a fair trade boutique, a bar on the top floor once you walk up a spiral staircase, which overlooks a spacious first floor with a center bar and open-face kitchen. Menus are written in chalk above the kitchen, and documentaries and lectures focused on social justice are held through a side room. The drink names are fun, like DC Tap Water, and I enjoyed two glasses of the Tempranillo after I learned they were out of the Malbec. I had been building up excitement about the place so I splurged on dinner, with all my options picked out in advance. I started with a yellow tomato gazpacho. One word: heaven!!!! I can't wait to hit up my local farmer's market and try to replicate. It was pureed, which was unexpected, and featured a dollop of guacamole in the center and basil olive oil drizzle. Perfect on a warm spring rainy night! Then I opted for the sea scallops, which were delectable and perfectly cooked on a generous bed of tomato herb risotto and drizzle of cilantro coulis. Everyone loved their food, from burgers to gluten-free pizza and salads. For dessert, I went crazy for the flourless chocolate cake which was so rich and divine. Well done, busboys and poets that dreamed up this place with a social justice mindset, well done.
The Happy Tart
2307A Mount Vernon Ave
Alexandria, VA
Yes!!!! Gluten-free only bakery!! Please and thank you. And when can you come to NC?!
A colleague who is also gluten-free took me to check out this bakery for a special treat. I've been trying gluten-free for 3 months now and admit while my waistline is appreciating less indulgences, it is divine to have the actual option of popping by a darling neighborhood bakery and not feeling left out. I had the highly recommended chocolate salted caramel cupcake (5 stars) and chocolate ganache tart (5 stars), and then bagged up some goodies for my flight home - a bag of salt and pepper baguette chips (you would have no idea they are gluten free, they are sooo good!!) and a rosemary baguette, which the owner advised to slice first and then pop in my freezer to keep. It was the perfect satiating snack after my flight home. I hear they also supply the gluten-free bread to neighborhood restaurants.
Bravo!!! It's my hope that every metro area will have one of these within the next 5 years. Thanks for paving the way!! Now... if only they delivered ;)
Crohnies Unite!